A network camera mainly consists of a lens, an image sensor, an image processor, a video compression SoC (System on Chip) and an Ethernet chip that offers network connectivity for data transmission.
When light passes through the lens to the sensor, it is converted to digital signals and then processed by a built-in digital signal processor. The processed video data is then compressed by a multimedia SoC to achieve a smaller data size for optimal transmission. Finally, the video images are sent through the Internet to back-end devices to allow for viewing and storage. As well as video compression, the SoC is built with a RISC CPU for processing system and network data

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The general interface of a network camera includes a power cord socket, an Ethernet socket, audio I/O ports and digital I/O ports.

IP Camera Types

Network cameras can be designed for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor network cameras usually have an external, protective housing to shield the camera from harsh weather environments and from vandalism or tampering. Outdoor enclosures are also available to convert indoor cameras for outdoor use. Furthermore, as the amount of light changes throughout the day, outdoor network cameras usually feature an auto iris lens to control the amount of light the image sensor receives to avoid over-exposed and unusable images.

Whether indoor or outdoor, network cameras can further be classified into fixed, fixed dome, PTZ, and PTZ dome network cameras by mechanical design point of view.

Each type of IP camera is also probably done with PoE/Night Viewing (with infrared LED) capable for needs of market.

Fixed IP Camera (Cube Type)

This is an entry-level IP camera, usually equipped with a CMOS censor and has a fixed field of view

Fixed IP Camera (Box Type)

A fixed network camera, which is equipped with a fixed or varifocal lens, points a fixed direction to monitor specific area. There are several optional camera enclosures including enclosures for outdoor installation and enclosures with IR LEDS for outdoor Day/Night environments

Fixed Dome IP Camera

This type is mostly installed for indoor surveillance mounted on the ceiling.
This type of IP camera is equipped with a non-changeable lens.

PTZ (Pan / Tilt / Zoom) and PTZ Dome IP Camera

A P/T/Z IP camera can pan, tilt, and zoom in/out via controls in a web browser to control an optimized angle for live video viewing. All P/T/Z commands are sent through the IP network. Unlike traditional P/T/Z analogue cameras which require additional RS-485 wires and a control keyboard.

Pan: expands the viewing area to a wide-ranged horizontal angle.Tilt: expands the viewing area to a wide-ranged vertical angle.Digital Zoom: enlarges an image by magnifying the pixels in a selected position.Optical Zoom: a specific motorized lens can identify detailed images more clearly than digital zoom.